Three years after gaining UNESCO World Heritage status, Jingmai Mountain in southwest China’s Yunnan Province is emerging as a destination for travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences. Home to centuries-old tea forests and traditional villages, the mountain combines sustainable tea cultivation with immersive tourism, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the heritage of Pu'er tea and the daily lives of local communities.
The Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in September 2023. Located in Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, the site preserves a traditional cultivation system in which tea trees grow naturally beneath taller forest trees, maintaining a close relationship between agriculture and the surrounding ecosystem.
Local communities are introducing new experiences while protecting their heritage. Visitors can participate in tea picking, roasting and tea cake making, gaining firsthand insight into traditional craftsmanship. Young entrepreneurs have also introduced walking tours, photography services, cafés and Pu’er tea-flavored ice cream, adding contemporary attractions to the mountain's cultural landscape.
The growing appeal of Jingmai Mountain tourism is also supporting local livelihoods. In 2025, Lancang County recorded approximately 694,300 tourist visits, up 56.27 percent year on year. As traditional tea culture meets modern tourism, Jingmai Mountain offers travelers a distinctive way to discover Yunnan's living heritage.